Related To:

If you want a color that encourages your family and friends to slow down and relax, brown can be the solution to your problem. A weighty and robust color, brown represents nature and natural materials.

Use brown to highlight stronger colors like lime green or orange, or to tone down a room. Brown gives you an earthy richness that makes a room feel warm and inviting.

"Brown is less harsh than black, so I'll use a creamy vanilla white for the walls with a deep-brown bronze color for the crown molding," says interior designer Shannon Kaye. "The look is modern and elegant and the combination shows off artwork and sunny spaces beautifully."

Neutral Contemporary Living Room Filled with Wood

Photo courtesy of SPG Architects

Photo by: Daniel Levin

Daniel Levin

Photo courtesy of SPG Architects

"Brown is the color of wood, which is a stable color that we inevitability have in our homes," says Elaine Ryan. "What we need to do is counterbalance all that brown with another shade on the wall."

Brown comes in many different tones and shades, and offers the kind of variety you need for both the interior and exterior of your home. Medium-toned brown molding looks inviting when combined with muted sage-green walls.

Mix things up by painting your walls a rich chocolate brown to create a sophisticated backdrop for neutral accessories. Brown can be paired with burgundy for a swank dining or living room, or used with pale aqua to create a lighter and airy feel.

"Contrasting light and dark and mixing textures is how you want to use brown," explains Kaye.

Bye-Bye Boring Brown Kitchens

Cafe Kitchen Design

When we think of brown in the context of drinks, javas, espressos, and cappuccinos come to mind. Using coffee cabinets and milky-white subway tiles creates an inviting combination for a modern, industrial design. Designed by Randy Weinstein

Repurposed Style

Repurpose old stools, chairs and architectural salvage – all in warm, neutral browns – to create the feeling of a custom, casual farmhouse kitchen. Photographed by Lisa Warninger; Styling by Chelsea Fuss; Designed by Orange Design and Construction

Eat-In Kitchen

Combine a shiny, sophisticated countertop with casual captain's chairs for a one-of-a-kind gathering space. Top it with a candle tray-lamp and you've got the perfect conversation starter.

Old World Charm

Rich textures of brick and wood present a sense of intimacy in this grand, Iitalian-style kitchen. Designed by Thom Oppelt

The St. John's Wort of Color

Brown calms us, which is why it's a great choice for high-traffic areas. Using different shades of wood adds architectural dimension and a contemporary flair to this kitchen. Designed by SPG Architects

Photo By: Daniel Levin

Classic Color Combination

White acts as a blank canvas for rich textures without making this kitchen feel cramped and dark. Photo courtesy of IKEA

On the Open Range

In this contemporary kitchen design, earthy tones and materials flow seamlessly into the great outdoors. Designed by Ron Radziner